Executive Vice President, External Affairs

Who we are:
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As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.
The Executive Vice President, External Affairs is responsible for developing and executing external affairs strategy for the Mega Site Build platform across all regions, shaping the enterprise-level policy, regulatory, and reputational positioning that protects and advances the company’s portfolio of projects.
This executive oversees government relations, legislative advocacy, economic development, community engagement and provides oversight of campaign management across all regions, enabling the Mega Site Build platform's growth, development, operations, and long-term reputation. The role will also support the Texas Region.
Reporting directly to the Chief External Affairs Officer, the Executive Vice President serves as a member of the executive leadership team and leads the external affairs organization for the Mega Site Build platform, including senior leaders, regional campaign teams, project-based teams, and external advisors.
The role partners closely with the Executive Team and leaders across Communications, Marketing, Legal, Development, Energy Strategy, and Operations to advance enterprise priorities, support market expansion, and drive strategic advocacy initiatives across the platform and all regional markets.
This leader will build and maintain trusted relationships with elected officials, policymakers, regulatory agencies, economic development partners, community leaders, industry stakeholders, and internal business partners in every region where the platform operates, while also supporting the Texas Region. Success in the role requires executive presence, political acumen, sound judgment, enterprise-level strategic vision, and a campaign-oriented mindset that combines strategic planning, disciplined execution, campaign team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building to advance the Mega Site Build platform business objectives and strengthen its position as a trusted community and industry partner.
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What You Will Do:**
· Develop and lead a comprehensive external affairs strategy for the Texas Region and Mega Site Build platform across all regions, aligned with enterprise growth, development, operational, reputational, and public policy objectives, with executive accountability for outcomes.
· Lead integrated advocacy campaigns at the state, regional, and local levels to influence policy outcomes, mitigate enterprise risk, and secure the policy environment and approvals needed to support Mega Site Build platform market expansion and project delivery.
· Provide oversight of campaign management across all regions, leading campaign team leaders and managers and setting standards for campaign planning, messaging, resourcing, coordination, and performance measurement to ensure regional campaigns are aligned with enterprise platform priorities.
· Direct, develop, and scale a high-performing external affairs organization of senior leaders and teams across all regions, establishing clear priorities, accountability measures, performance expectations, succession plans, and professional development opportunities.
· Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Chief External Affairs Officer, and senior executives on political, regulatory, community, and reputational dynamics that may impact enterprise strategy, capital deployment, project delivery, and operational certainty.
· Build and maintain influential relationships with elected officials, legislative leadership, regulatory agencies, economic development organizations, business leaders, and community stakeholders in the Texas region as well as in each region where the platform operates.
· Anticipate emerging political, policy, regulatory, and community issues and develop proactive, enterprise-level strategies to mitigate risk and create opportunity.
· Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, shaping enterprise-wide strategy, organizational development, and long-term planning.
· Represent the platform externally as the senior executive voice across all regions and a trusted advocate in support of the company's mission, values, and growth objectives.
Areas of Responsibility:
Government Affairs & Public Policy
Lead government affairs, legislative advocacy, regulatory engagement, and public policy efforts across all regions. Develop strategies that advance Mega Site Build platform growth objectives and strengthen relationships with policymakers, regulatory agencies, economic development organizations, and industry stakeholders.
Community Engagement & Reputation
Lead stakeholder engagement strategies that build trust, support development objectives, and enhance the platform’s reputation. Serve as the platform’s senior executive representative with community leaders, business organizations, educational institutions, and other key stakeholders in each region.
Economic Development & Market Expansion
Partner with Development, Site Selection, Energy Strategy, and Operations teams to support market expansion, site development, infrastructure investments, and growth initiatives across all Mega Site Build platform regions. Identify opportunities and mitigate risks that could impact enterprise business objectives.
Campaign Management
Provide executive oversight of campaign management across all regions, including the campaign teams responsible for planning and executing advocacy, stakeholder, and community campaigns. Establish consistent campaign frameworks, priorities, resourcing, and performance measures, and coordinate regional campaign activity to ensure alignment with enterprise platform objectives.
Executive Counsel & Strategic Leadership
Provide strategic counsel to the Chief External Affairs Officer, and senior leadership on political, regulatory, economic, and community dynamics affecting the business. Guide high-profile development, policy, permitting, and reputational matters through proactive planning and stakeholder strategy.
Organizational Leadership
Lead and develop a high-performing external affairs organization across all regions, including senior leaders, campaign team leaders, and their teams. Drive accountability, operational excellence, resource stewardship, succession planning, and measurable business outcomes.
Other duties as assigned.
What You Will Need to Be Successful:
· Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Business, Communications, Law, Economics, Urban Planning, or related field.
· 20+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in government affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, lobbying, economic development, public affairs, community affairs, or external affairs, including executive-level responsibility for a large multi-state, multi-region, or complex jurisdictional portfolio.
· Demonstrated success developing and executing complex stakeholder engagement strategies, advocacy campaigns, and public policy initiatives that influence outcomes and advance business objectives.
· Experience leading senior leaders and large teams, including campaign management teams across multiple regions, owning significant budgets, overseeing external consultants or advisors, and driving measurable results across executive-level, cross-functional organizations.
· Strong understanding of legislative, regulatory, permitting, economic development, and community engagement processes.
· Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, energy, technology, real estate, utility, telecommunications, or ind